Miscellaneous Muzzleloading Tips & Tricks

[roundball]

1) Gloves to avoid fingerprint rust...I keep a pair of cheap cotton brown 'Jersey gloves' handy around my rifles, and slip them on any time I pick up a muzzleloader to check a S/N, recheck a bore, etc.

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[Slamfire]

Did ye fergit the rest, or was ye fishin'? :sleep:

 

2) Run a patch of your favorite metal protectant down the barrel every now and then during storage to keep ahead of any rust. Wipe down the barrel and other parts while you're at it. (Should this topic be moved?)

 

[Halftail]

Making a mark on your ramrod when rifle is empty will easily tell you that it's loaded or not.

 

[walruskid1]

Powder goes in FIRST, then the ball. :nono:

 

[Slowpoke]

Don't believe everything you read.... many times they're just trying to sell you something.

Many responses you read on message boards come from those who read it in a book or on another website... vicious circle.

Experence is the greatest teacher.

SP

 

3)Powder, Patch, Ball, Seat, Prime. Make it a Mantra, and maybe you won't dryball any time soon. Bill

 

[Stumpkiller]

D.) Wipe BEFORE it gets too fouled to get the ball seated or the jag back out. If that fails, or if you d-d-d-ry ball, tie a rolling hitch on the ramrod (bootlace, thong from measure, or plan ahead and have a piece of line in your pouch) and loop it over a small branch so you can pull the rifle with both hands to get the rammer back out. Awful hard to get a grip on that last 3" of rammer sticking out the muzzle.

 

[Stumpkiller]

iii.) If you do stick a cleaning jag, pour a bit of powder solvent (like moose milk, water, etc.) down on top of it and let it sit a few seconds.

 

[Stumpkiller]

dy/dx.) Remember that conditions, explanations and techniques vary.

Someone reports what works for them, but it may not work when you try it because:

a.) They forgot to mention a step, typed something wrong or out of order, or just assumed you knew some other process had to occur prior or simultaneously.
b.) Atmospheric/climactic/seasonal/astrological conditions are different where and when you try it.
c.) Components are different enough that it can't be duplicared (patch thickness/material, bore condition, barrel composition, rifling depth, lead hardness, satisfaction level of user, etc.)

Measure twice, cut once. And regard any advice with skepticism, especially if it seems not to be working. You are the final test pilot with your firelock and it's your eyes and fingers in the flame if it goes wrong.

 

[gl04]

I always heard the first rule of muzzleloading was..
Don't shoot yer ramrod down the range!! :haha:

 

[Slamfire]

I always heard the first rule of muzzleloading was..
Don't shoot yer ramrod down the range!! :haha:

That ain't so bad if the ground cover is short and green while your ramrod is brown or black. :winking:

 

[Stumpkiller]

Heck, Fess Parker used to stop a charging Indian at least monthly using that trick when I was growin up.

Davy, Daaaavy Crocket . . . :front:

 

[BLAHMAN]

Don't believe everything you read.... many times they're just trying to sell you something.

Many responses you read on message boards come from those who read it in a book or on another website... vicious circle.

Experence is the greatest teacher.

SP

Ok, what part of this am I supposed to believe. :hmm: :hmm: :haha:

 

[Stumpkiller]

Experience is a great teacher, but the tuition can be very costly. :haha:

 

[Slowpoke]

Amen Brother.... I spent about $1K on trekking gear only to find out that I only needed 20% of it.

SP

 

[roundball]

Experience is a great teacher, but the tuition can be very costly. :haha:

I have a few extra pan brushes and brass knapping hammers that will attest to that... ::

the good news is they're not expensive

 

"tie a rolling hitch on the ramrod (bootlace, thong from measure, or plan ahead and have a piece of line in your pouch) and loop it over a small branch so you can pull the rifle with both hands to get the rammer back out. Awful hard to get a grip on that last 3" of rammer sticking out the muzzle."


Now there's one I can use! When hunting, I do carry a ramrod puller. But, I'm telling you that thing is awkward to use. I'm either uncoordinated, my hands are too small or my arms are too short . . . probably all of the above. All I need is a leather thong in the possibles bag. Thanks! Don :thumbsup:

 

[BLAHMAN]

Experience is a great teacher, but the tuition can be very costly. :haha:

I have a few extra pan brushes and brass knapping hammers that will attest to that... ::

the good news is they're not expensive

Makes for good trade blanket stuff!

 

[Stumpkiller]

I think that was from Superflint a while back. I've used it twice since then to save the day. Last time was to pull a ball, and the cord was a New Balance sneaker lace. ::